
At a glance
 15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode for 
telephone
* and for voice activation 
system
*23
2 Initiating
 an emergency request 279
3 Reading lamps 113
4 Glass sunroof 42, 45
5 Interior lamps 113
6 Passenger airbag status lamp 105
7 Control Display 16 
Displays for menu navigation
8 Hazard warning flashers
9 Central locking system 29
10 Opening glove compartment 126
11 Automatic climate control with 2-zone 
control 115
Automatic climate control with 4-zone 
control
*119
12 Ejecting audio CD
13 Changing
>radio station 174
> track 174 14
Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15 Selecting AM or FM waveband
16 Ejecting navigation DVD with navigation 
system
*148
18 Controller 16
Turn, press or move horizontally in 
four directions
19 Opening start menu on Control Display 17
20 Automatic Hold 67
21 Parking brake 67
22 Adaptive Drive
*99
23 Programmable memory buttons 21
24 Switching Entertainment sound output 
on/off and adjusting volume 174
Manual air distribution
116
Automatic air distribution and 
volume 115
Cooling function 117
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control 117 
Maximum cooling 117 
Air volume 116
Residual heat utilization 118
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation 116
Rear window defroster 116
Seat heating
*55,  56
Active seat ventilation
*56
17 Opening liftgate 33, 35
Active seat
*57
PDC Park Distance Control
*91
Rear view camera
*93
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 97
HDC Hill Descent Control 98 

Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page 90
> 12h/24h clock format, refer to page 89
> Date format, refer to page 89
> Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page 73
> Welcome lamps, refer to page 110
> Pathway lighting, refer to page 111
> Daytime driving lamps
*, refer to 
page 111
> PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page 92
> Rear view camera
*:
> Selecting functions, refer to page 93
> Type of display, refer to page 95
> Head-Up Display
*: selection, brightness 
and position of display, refer to page 107
> Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated 
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper  body region, refer to 
text starting on page 115
> Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page 21
> Positions of driver's  seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page 50
> Adaptive Drive
*: selected chassis and sus-
pension tuning, refer to page 99
> Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page 175
> Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page 178
> Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page 181
> Phone: volume setting, refer to 
pages 226,232
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
> Doors
> Liftgate
> Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>via the remote control
> via the door lock
> with comfort access
* via the door handles
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* are 
also switched on and off with the remote con-
trol. The alarm system
 is armed/disarmed at the 
same time.
You can find more detailed information on the 
alarm system
 on page 38.
Operating from inside
Via the button for centra l locking, refer to 
page 32. The fuel filler door is not locked.
In an accident of sufficient severity, the central 
locking system automati cally unlocks the vehi-
cle. In addition, the hazard warning flashers and 
interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using remote control
Persons or animals left unattended in a 
parked vehicle can lock the doors from 
the inside. Always take  along the remote control 
when leaving the vehicle so that the vehicle can 
then be opened  from the outside. < 

Adjusting
48
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seat position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page 61.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock  positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries  to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to  come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passeng er is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
cluster, otherwise leg in juries can occur if the 
front airbag is triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbag, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered. <
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This e ffect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page 105.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head  restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of inju ry in the event of an 
accident. <
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd 
row seats
* into the top position.
Head restraints, refer to page 52.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but  they do not represent a 
substitute.
BMW X5: depending on its equipment, your 
vehicle has either five or seven seats, which are 
all provided with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to  ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the  belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt  may not lie across the 
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid 
or breakable objects or  be pinched. Wear the 
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the 
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise the belt can slip over the hips 
in the lap area in a fronta l impact and injure the 
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents 
the belt from fitting prop erly and pull the belt in 
the upper body area period ically to readjust the 
tension, in order to avoid a reduction in the 
restraint of the safety belt. 
If the center safety belt  in the rear is used, the 
larger backrest half mu st be locked, refer to 
page 132, otherwise the center safety belt has 
no restraining action. <
Safety belts, refer to page 54. 

Adjusting
50
Differs depending on seat:
1
Backrest
2 Height
Additional depending on seat:
1 Backrest width
*
2Shoulder support*
3Thigh support*
4Lumbar support*
Backrest width*
The width of the backrest can be changed with 
the side wings to adjust  the side support to your 
own needs.
Shoulder support*
This also supports the back in the shoulder 
area, provides a relaxed sitting position and 
helps relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
The shoulder support is also used to adjust the 
distance of the head restraint from the back of 
the seat occupant's head.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to  help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
> Increase or decrease curvature: press front 
or rear section of switch.
> Shift curvature up or down: press upper or 
lower section of switch.
Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory*
You can store and request two different posi-
tions for the driver's  seat and passenger seat
*, 
exterior rearview mirror s, and steering wheel.
The adjustment of the backrest width and lum-
bar support is not stored in the memory.
Storing
1. Switch on radio readiness or ignition, refer 
to page 65.
2. Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and 
steering wheel positions. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the  button: 
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: 
The LED goes out.
The positions of the driver's seat, the exte-
rior rearview mirrors, and steering wheel are 
stored for the remote  control currently in 
use.
Calling up automatically
You can choose when the stored positions of 
the driver's seat, exterior rearview mirrors, and 
steering wheel are activated.
> Calling up when unlocking vehicle
> Calling up when opening driver's door
When using this feat ure, always make 
sure that the footwell  behind the driver's 
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do 
so could cause injury to persons or damage to 
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat. <
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Selecting calling up automatically
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the  menu.
3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4. Select "Vehicle / Tire s" and press the con-
troller.
5. Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller. 6.
Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7. Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8. Select "After unlock ing" or "After door 
opened".
9. Press the controller.
Deactivating calling up automatically
Select "Deactivated" an d press the controller.
Calling up manually
Do not call up a position from the memory 
while the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement of the 
seat or steering wheel. <
Comfort mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or 
switch on radio readiness.
2. Briefly press the de sired memory button 1 
or 2.
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off.
2. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 
and maintain pressure  until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the  button was pressed inadvertently: 
press the button again; the LED goes out. 

Adjusting
52
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of inju ry in the event of an 
accident. Only remove the head restraints if the 
respective seat is not  occupied. Reinstall the 
head restraints before transporting passen-
gers, as otherwise the head restraint cannot 
provide its protective function. <
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient 
severity, the active head  restraint reduces the 
distance to the head.
Do not use seat covers or head restraint 
covers that could impede the proper 
functioning of the active head restraint. Other-
wise, there is no assuranc e that the active head 
restraint will perform its protective function and 
it is not possible to take advantage of its injury-
reducing potential in th e event of a rear-end 
collision.
Have the active head rest raints reset after they 
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Have this 
work carried out only at a BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, 
correct operation of this safety equipment is not 
guaranteed. <
Removal and installation of the front head 
restraints should be performed by a BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. <
Front seats: height adjustment
You can adjust the height of the head restraints 
electrically.
Front seats: adjust ing distance from 
back of head
> Forward: pull up.
> Back: press the button and slide the head-
rest cushion toward the rear.
Do not place any objects behind the 
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can 
impair the proper function of the head 
restraint. <
Comfort seat*
You can adjust the distance  from the back of the 
seat occupant's head using the shoulder sup-
port, refer to page 50. 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
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Communications
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Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the head 
restraint forward for increased lateral support in 
the resting position.
BMW X5: rear seats and 3rd row seats*, 
adjusting height
> To raise: pull up.
> To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and 
push the head restraint downward.
In vehicles equipped with 3rd row seats, the 
height of the middle head  restraint is not adjust-
able.
Removing
1. Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2. Press the button, arro w 1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
BMW X5: rear seats
2nd row seats
With a divided* row of seats you can adjust 
both sides individually.
Never adjust the 2nd row seats while the 
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the pas-
sengers on the 3rd row seats could be injured.
Make sure that the locking devices of the 2nd 
row seats engage properly. Otherwise the 
restraining effect of the  safety belts during an 
accident could be reduced. <
Longitudinal direction*
1.Pull the lever and slide the seat into the 
desired position.
2. Release the lever and move the seat slightly 
forward or back so that  it engages properly.
Backrest*
The backrests can be adjusted in four steps.
Pull the lever and apply weight to or remove 
weight from the backrest as needed. 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat
The indicator lamp lights up and a 
signal sounds. A message also 
appears on the Control Display. 
Please check whether the safety belt is cor-
rectly fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1. Grasp the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly  adjusted, refer to page 49.
BMW X5: the two rear safety belt buckles inte-
grated into the rear seat are for passengers sit-
ting on the left and right. The belt buckle 
embossed with the word CENTER is intended 
exclusively for use by passengers riding in the 
center position.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety be lt tensioners and any 
child restraint devices, an d have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have  this work carried out 
at a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center or at a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with corres pondingly trained per-
sonnel. Otherwise correct operation of this 
safety equipment is not guaranteed. <
Belt-force limiter
The effect of the belt-force limiter on the 
driver's seat is dependent on the position of the 
driver's seat. To maintain the long-term accuracy of this 
function, the driver's seat
 must be calibrated if a 
corresponding message  is displayed on the 
Control Display.
Calibrating driver's seat
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage also appears on the Control Dis-
play. Please calibrate the driver's 
seat.
1. Move the driver's seat forward until it stops.
2. Move the driver's seat forward again. It 
briefly moves toward the front in the pro-
cess.
3. Set the desired seating position again.
The calibration is comp leted when the message 
on the Control Display disappears. Should this 
message continue to be  displayed, repeat the 
calibration. If the message does not disappear 
even after repeated calibration, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Never carry out calibration while the vehi-
cle is moving, as this can cause accidents.
Make sure that no persons or objects become 
wedged during the calibration process, as this 
can cause injuries or damage. <
Seat heating*
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step 
through its control sequence each time you 
press the button. The maximum temperature is 
supplied when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off: press the button longer.